An American Dilemma

Author: Gunnar Myrdal

Year Published: 1944

Description: This book tackled the stark contradiction between America's ideal of equality and the realities of racism against African-Americans, as well as other oppressed groups. In it, Swedish economist Gunnar Myrdal argued that rampant discrimination not only negated America's founding principles, but also diminished its productivity and advancement. Cited in the landmark segregation case Brown v. Board of Education, the book greatly influenced perspectives on race relations and helped form the foundation for the civil rights movement.